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Healthy Red Cabbage Soup | Sweet & Sour

This healthy red cabbage soup recipe offers a sweet and sour taste, perfect for those looking for a vegan or vegetarian option. It’s packed with nutrients and texture from sweet veggies (there is no added sugar) and red cabbage sauerkraut both contributing to that extra punch of flavor. Enjoy the benefits of red cabbage, known for its high vitamin C and antioxidant content.

This soup with red cabbage is real comfort food, perfect for cold days! It is simple and easy to prepare and not at all expensive to put together.

Related: Easy Roasted Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup

How To Make This Red Cabbage Soup

1. Gather all ingredients and chop/mince/dice everything you need.

Image showing all ingredients for making a red cabbage soup displayed on a board (red cabbage, carrot, potato, onion, garlic, celery root, bell pepper, tomato paste, red cabbage sauerkraut and seasonings)
Ingredients for this red cabbage soup recipe: red cabbage, carrot, potato, onion, garlic, celery root, bell pepper, tomato paste, red cabbage sauerkraut and seasonings)

2. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add in your choice of oil or ghee.

3. Sauté diced onion, carrots and minced garlic for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

4. Add the dried thyme, black pepper, bay leaf and salt. Let it cook for 1 minute or 2. The heat will enhance the herbs flavor.

Process shots showing how to saute onion garlic and carrot with herbs.

5. Then add in diced potatoes, celery root (aka celeriac) and add the water (or stock). Cook until it comes to a boil, about 7-10 minutes.

Process shots showing how to add the rest of the veggies (potato and celery root) and water.

6. Add the shredded red cabbage, the sauerkraut, the chopped bell pepper and the tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

Process shots showing how to add the red cabbage, bell pepper red sauerkraut and tomato paste and cook it.

7. Season with extra salt, pepper if needed. You can add any other desired spices (such as red pepper flakes).

Serve hot and enjoy!

Pair this red cabbage soup with nice toasted slice of sourdough bread or pumpernickel bread or enjoy it by itself as lunch or light dinner.

Video: How To Make This Red Cabbage Soup

Ready to serve red cabbage soup with a side of fresh chopped herbs to top with.
You can serve the cabbage soup as is, or sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs like parsley and dill.

Recipe Tips And Substitutions

  • For a heartier red cabbage soup, try adding in some cooked grains, beans or some meat.
  • Adjust the amount of sauerkraut according to taste preference. If you don’t have sauerkraut, substitute with diced pickles or kimchi. Or in order to mimic the sour taste you can also add 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and increase the amount of tomato paste / canned crushed or diced tomatoes.
  • Use vegetable broth instead of water. But know it tastes just fine with water only.

Related: Gluten Free Vegetable Soups

Close up shot of cabbage soup served in a bowl with fresh herbs.

Related: Creamy Beet Soup With Red Sauerkraut

Storing tips:

  • This red cabbage soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
  • It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Cabbage even softens when frozen, so your soup may even be more tender than it was originally.
  • Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and enjoying.

More Healthy Cabbage Recipes

Healthy Red Cabbage Soup | Sweet & Sour

This healthy red cabbage soup recipe offers a sweet and sour taste, perfect for those looking for a vegan or vegetarian option. It's packed with nutrients and texture from sweet veggies (there is no added sugar) and red cabbage sauerkraut both contributing to that extra punch of flavor.
This red cabbage soup is real comfort food, perfect for cold days! It is easy to prepare and not at all expensive to put together.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine: Clean Eating, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Sugar Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 or 5 people
Calories: 159kcal
Author: Olga Caz
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Ingredients
 

  • 2.5 cups shredded red cabbage - about 6.5 oz (185g)
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1 large potato - parsnip or beets would also work
  • ¼ medium celery root (celeriac)
  • 1 large red onion
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1 small bell pepper
  • ¾ cup sauerkraut - see notes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste - or 1 cup of canned tomatoes

Additional

  • 2 tbsp oil or ghee - for sautéing
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp sea salt
  • 5-6 cups filtered water - or stock

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large pot over medium heat and add in your choice of oil or ghee.
  • Sauté diced onion, carrots and minced garlic for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
  • Add the dried thyme, black pepper, bay leaf and salt. Let it cook for a minute or two. The heat will enhance the herbs flavor.
  • Then add in diced potatoes, celery root (aka celeriac) and add the water (or stock). Cook until it comes to a boil, about 7 minutes.
  • Add the shredded red cabbage, the sauerkraut, the chopped bell pepper and the tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
  • Season with extra salt, pepper if needed. You can add any other desired spices (such as red pepper flakes). Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of sauerkraut according to taste preference.  Use can use white or red sauerkraut.
  • If you don’t have sauerkraut, substitute with diced pickles or kimchi. Or in order to mimic the sour taste you can add 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and increase the amount of tomato paste / canned (crushed or diced) tomatoes.
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Nutrition

Serving: 3cups | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3.6g | Fat: 5.2g | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 4.92g | Vitamin A: 3397IU | Vitamin C: 63.8mg | Calcium: 84.5mg | Iron: 1.76mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.

This healthy red cabbage soup recipe offers a sweet and sour taste, perfect for those looking for a vegan or vegetarian option. It’s packed with nutrients and texture from sweet veggies and red cabbage sauerkraut. This red cabbage soup is easy, simple, cheap and delicious - perfect for cold days. #redcabbage #soup #cabbagesoup #healthysoup #vegansoup #sauerkraut #veggie

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